A pair of former Lathrop Gage LLP attorneys found new homes at separate law firms after an exodus this summer coincided with the closure of the Kansas City-based company’s Springfield office.

Doug Nickell is now with Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell and Brown PC, and Frank Evans joined Baird Lightner Millsap PC, officials with the Springfield-based law firms recently announced.

“I’ve known the attorneys over here for many years and our practices are much the same,” Nickell said this morning of his selection.

In July, six former Lathrop Gage partners and five staff members were hired by Omaha, Nebraska-based Kutak Rock LLP to launch a Springfield office. Lathrop Gage closed its Springfield office that same month, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

“They don’t have an estate planning practice in Springfield, and I preferred Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell and Brown,” Nickell said.

Nickell specializes in estate planning and has continued practicing in that arena at Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell and Brown.

At Baird Lightner Millsap, Evans brings more than 40 years of experience handing contracts, real estate, antitrust, business tort claims and employment law cases, according to an ad that appeared in SBJ’s Oct. 1 edition.

Evans could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Kutak Rock opened its Springfield office in late July. Lathrop Gage previously employed 25 in Springfield, according to past SBJ reporting.